West Virginia · Metropolitan Area
Benwood is a small town in West Virginia with a population of 1,173. Residents earn $39,474 per year, which is 47% below the national average.
Based on current data, Benwood receives an overall livability score of 2.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Benwood has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.
The median household income in Benwood is $39,474, 47% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.2%. The poverty rate of 21.2% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.
The median home value in Benwood is $90,400, 68% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $681 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.
Benwood is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 73 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 364 per 100,000, 81% below the national average.
9.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 88.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.8/10.
Benwood experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 53°F. Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 41.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.
| English Only | 96.6% |
| 23% above US avg | |
| Spanish | 3.4% |
| 75% below US avg |
| Median HH Income | $39,474 |
| 47% below US avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $24,771 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $1,074 |
| IRS Avg AGI | $75,258 |
| Unemployment | 2.2% |
| 39% below US avg | |
| Poverty Rate | 21.2% |
| 71% above US avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 1,794 |
| County GDP | $5,057M |
| Restaurants | 140 |
| Healthcare | 229 |
| Retail | 186 |
| Manufacturing | 36 |
| Property Tax (IRS) | $3,676 |
| 5% above US avg | |
| Effective Tax Rate | 4.07% |
| Commute Time | 19.5 min |
| Work from Home | 2.2% |
| Census Median | $90,400 |
| 68% below US avg | |
| Zillow ZHVI | $117,784 |
| Census Median Rent | $681 |
| 41% below US avg |
| Studio | $714 |
| 1 Bedroom | $766 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $945 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,231 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,380 |
| Owner-Occupied | 67.4% |
| Avg Tax (IRS) | $3,676 |
| 5% above US avg | |
| Effective Rate | 4.07% |
| Obesity | 40.4% |
| 26% above US avg | |
| Diabetes | 14.5% |
| Heart Disease | 7.8% |
| High Blood Pressure | 40.7% |
| Asthma | 13.2% |
| COPD | 11.4% |
| Stroke | 4.0% |
| Binge Drinking | 15.7% |
| Physical Inactivity | 35.9% |
| Depression | 34.2% |
| Mental Distress | 25.4% |
| Physical Distress | 18.7% |
| Insurance Rate | 93.2% |
| Checkup Rate | 78.0% |
| Premature Death | 11,927/100K |
| Food Environment | 7.9/10 |
| Exercise Access | 90.0% |
| Healthcare Facilities | 229 |
| Total Violent | 72.7/100K |
| 81% below US avg | |
| Murder | 0.0/100K |
| 100% below US avg | |
| Rape | 0.0/100K |
| Robbery | 0.0/100K |
| Assault | 72.7/100K |
| Total Property | 363.6/100K |
| 81% below US avg | |
| Burglary | 218.2/100K |
| Theft | 145.5/100K |
| Vehicle Theft | 0.0/100K |
| Arson | 0.0/100K |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 4 |
| Safety Grade | F |
| Safety Score | 1.0 / 5.0 |
| Annual Average | 53.1°F |
| 2% below US avg | |
| January Average | 30°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 74°F (24°C) |
| Annual Rainfall | 41.9 inches |
| 10% above US avg |
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Elevation | 1,021 ft (311 m) |
| Area | 1.3 sq mi (3.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 895/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 40.0046°N, 80.7306°W |
| County FIPS | 54069 |
Winner: Republican by 26 points
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 9.1% |
| 73% below US avg | |
| High School+ | 88.2% |
| School Test Score | 4.81 |
| RUCC Code 3 | Metro — under 250K |
| Population Density | 895/sq mi |
| Total Area | 1.3 sq mi |
| Public Libraries | 1 |
| Healthcare Facilities | 229 |
| Restaurants | 140 |
| Retail Stores | 186 |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 4 |
| Avg Commute | 19.5 min |
| Work from Home | 2.2% |